Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation announced today that the Rotterdam Transport Authority (RET) has exercised an option for 16 additional FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicles (LRVs). The order is valued at approximately 66 million euro ($89 million US). Delivery of the vehicles will take place in 2016.

The vehicles will run on the new Hoekse Lijn to provide fast and comfortable transportation in the Rotterdam area. Bombardier already has contributed to attractive public transport in the area, delivering 81 metros to RET between 1998 and 2002, 22 vehicles for the new RandstadRail line and 42 vehicles for the existing metro lines between 2008 and 2012.

“The arrival of the new high-quality light rail connection Hoekse Lijn, between Rotterdam and Hoek van Holland, is an achievement to be proud of,” said Pedro Peters, CEO RET. “It goes without saying that a new high-quality transport connection needs high-quality vehicles. Our long term relationship with Bombardier, delivering many light rail vehicles to RET over the years, has always been highly satisfactory. Therefore we are very pleased to order 16 additional vehicles.”

“This third order demonstrates RET’s confidence in our proven FLEXITY vehicles and continues our long-standing and successful partnership,” said Germar Wacker, President, Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation. “Together with RET, we have developed an LRV which can be adapted to perfectly meet operator and passenger demand.”

The vehicles consist of three modules and are 42 m long. They accommodate up to 270 passengers, 104 seated and 166 standing. During peak hours, two such units can be coupled to increase capacity and meet passenger demand. Every vehicle has two multi-purpose areas providing ample space for wheelchairs and prams. Seven double doors on each side of the vehicle ensure a smooth passenger flow. The LRV is equipped with the BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion system. BOMBARDIER FLEXX Urban bogies ensure a smooth ride and low noise levels. A modern passenger information system provides passengers with timely and relevant travelling information.

Bombardier produces the FLEXITY Swift LRVs for RET at its Bautzen site in Germany, with the electrical equipment provided by its Mannheim site and the bogies from its Siegen site, also in Germany. The company offers the industry’s most complete portfolio of light rail solutions with a strong reputation for performance and reliability. To date more than 1,000 FLEXITY Swift LRVs have been sold worldwide. Overall, Bombardier now has more than 4,000 trams and light rail vehicles in successful revenue service or on order in cities across Europe, Australia, Asia and North America.

About Bombardier Transportation

Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIERECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is the world’s only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.